Arkansas BusinessNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94Arkansas BusinessThu, 08 Dec 2016 10:59:02 +0000Arkansas Businesshttp://ualrpublicradio.org
Wesley Brown/ Talk Business Nearly a decade after the Little Rock Technology Authority was created from enabling legislation in the 2007 legislative session, the downtown tech village on Tuesday (Dec. 6) announced its first tenant only three months away from its scheduled grand opening in early 2017. After giving Executive Director Brent Birch the power to negotiate and execute lease agreements with prospective tenants at a special meeting on Nov. 1, the Little Rock Technology Authority announced its first set of tenant agreements in anticipation of the Phase 1 opening of the startup incubator on March 1, 2017. “This is a big day in the state of affairs of this project,” Birch told a gathering of about 30 people at the Little Rock Chamber of Commerce, including several Tech Park board members. “The wait to get to this point has been a long journey, but it is finally paying off.” The list of seven companies and two individual tenants include several technology-focused startups, entrepreneurs and early stageLittle Rock Tech Park Signs First Tenants 10 Years After Creation, Opening Set For Marchhttp://ualrpublicradio.org/post/little-rock-tech-park-signs-first-tenants-10-years-after-creation-opening-set-march
70039 as http://ualrpublicradio.orgTue, 06 Dec 2016 20:40:59 +0000Little Rock Tech Park Signs First Tenants 10 Years After Creation, Opening Set For MarchSteve Brawner / Talk Business The death of Fidel Castro represents a “moment that I believe needs to be seized,” Gov. Asa Hutchinson said Monday. Speaking to reporters, Hutchinson said the death Friday of Cuba’s longtime leader is a “momentous occasion … that gives us an opportunity we’ve never had before.” That includes an opportunity to sell Arkansas’ agricultural products, and an opportunity for the Cuban people to experience more freedom, leading to better relationships between the United States and Cuba. “That’s the moment that I believe needs to be seized,” he said. Hutchinson’s comments came after President-elect Donald Trump earlier in the day tweeted, “If Cuba is unwilling to make a better deal for the Cuban people, the Cuban/American people and the U.S. as a whole, I will terminate deal.” Asked if he was concerned Trump would roll back some of the diplomatic openings that have occurred in recent years between the two countries, Hutchinson said, “President-elect Trump has had a hard line toward Cuba, andGov. Hutchinson: U.S. Should Seize The Moment In Cuba, Not Return To 'Rigid Embargo'http://ualrpublicradio.org/post/gov-hutchinson-us-should-seize-moment-cuba-not-return-rigid-embargo
69619 as http://ualrpublicradio.orgTue, 29 Nov 2016 01:09:10 +0000Gov. Hutchinson: U.S. Should Seize The Moment In Cuba, Not Return To 'Rigid Embargo'Roby Brock / Talk Business Three Arkansas business icons are optimistic that a President Donald Trump will govern more pragmatically than candidate Trump campaigned. Thomas F. “Mack” McLarty, Franklin McLarty and Robert L. “Bob” Johnson were guests on this week’s Talk Business & Politics in a roundtable moderated by KATV’s Chris May. The three successful businessmen, all of whom supported Hillary Clinton for President, were in Little Rock a week ago for a chamber of commerce luncheon. Mack McLarty, CEO of the McLarty Companies and former chief of staff for President Bill Clinton in the 1990’s, said the time has come to push forward a more unified American business agenda that includes tax reform and regulatory relief. “First of all, you do have a businessman that was elected,” he said. “We only have one president at a time, so Donald Trump was elected and we need to support him and hope for a successful administration. I think frankly on the pro-business front, sensible regulations, hopefully tax reform –Business Leaders Ready To Work With Trump On Taxes, Tariffs And Regulatory Reliefhttp://ualrpublicradio.org/post/business-leaders-ready-work-trump-taxes-tariffs-and-regulatory-relief
69586 as http://ualrpublicradio.orgMon, 28 Nov 2016 16:41:09 +0000Business Leaders Ready To Work With Trump On Taxes, Tariffs And Regulatory ReliefMichael Hibblen The months leading up to Thanksgiving Day are a busy time for poultry companies that process turkeys. A new report by Slate Magazine says it also adds to an already disturbing amount of pressure for those who work in turkey plants, including one in northwest Arkansas. Reporter Gabriel Thompson wrote an in-depth story published this week for Slate Magazine which was reported in partnership with the Investigative Fund at the Nation Institute. It notes that some plants require workers not to take any days off for a 50-day stretch to meet the national demand for turkeys. The story looks at the health impacts of repetitive movements required by workers as the birds move through plants and suggests companies are discouraging employees from seeking medical treatment. You can hear KUAR's interview with Thompson above. Thanksgiving Adds To Already Stressful Jobs In Poultry Plantshttp://ualrpublicradio.org/post/thanksgiving-adds-already-stressful-jobs-poultry-plants
69365 as http://ualrpublicradio.orgWed, 23 Nov 2016 21:44:26 +0000Thanksgiving Adds To Already Stressful Jobs In Poultry PlantsTalk Business Tyson Foods ended its fiscal year with net income of $1.768 billion, 45% more than the previous fiscal year, thanks in part to lower grain costs, better margins in the chicken segment and continued success with its prepared foods business. Fiscal year revenue totaled $36.861 billion, below the $41.373 billion in fiscal year 2015, and below the consensus estimate among analysts following the company of $37.12 billion. The fiscal year per share earnings of $4.53 was well ahead of the $2.95 in fiscal 2015 but below the consensus estimate of $4.59. Fiscal fourth quarter income was $391 million, up 51.5% compared with the same quarter in 2015. Per share earnings in the quarter of $1.03, were ahead of the 63 cents in the same quarter of 2015, but below the consensus estimate of $1.17 per share. Fourth quarter revenue was $9.156 billion, below the $10.506 billion in the same quarter of 2015 and below the consensus estimate of $9.38 billion. In the earnings report posted early Monday (Nov. 21)Tyson Foods Names New CEO, Company Ends Fiscal Year with 45% income jumphttp://ualrpublicradio.org/post/tyson-foods-names-new-ceo-company-ends-fiscal-year-45-income-jump
69272 as http://ualrpublicradio.orgMon, 21 Nov 2016 17:10:13 +0000Tyson Foods Names New CEO, Company Ends Fiscal Year with 45% income jumpAssociated PressA national trucking company has agreed to pay $260,000 to settle discrimination complaints by four Sikh truckers who were denied jobs for refusing drug tests that violated their religious beliefs. J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc. reached the settlement being announced Tuesday with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The Sikh Coalition, a civil rights organization that represented the men, says the trucking company required three men to clip their hair for drug samples and required a fourth to remove his turban before providing a urine sample. Observant Sikhs never cut their hair and wear turbans in public at all times. The four men were denied jobs when they refused to submit to the tests and weren't provided testing alternatives. A lawyer for J.B. Hunt says the company won't comment. Arkansas Trucking Firm Settles Sikh Discrimination Casehttp://ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-trucking-firm-settles-sikh-discrimination-case
68932 as http://ualrpublicradio.orgTue, 15 Nov 2016 14:57:03 +0000Arkansas Trucking Firm Settles Sikh Discrimination CaseWesley Brown/ Talk Business Little Rock-based Windstream Holdings, which has seen its market value drop more than 64% since early 2012, announced early Monday a merger-of-equals with the popular 1990s Atlanta-based Internet dial-up provider Earthlink for $1.1 billion. EarthLink shareholders will receive 0.818 shares of Windstream common stock for each EarthLink share owned. This ratio represents a 13% premium to the average exchange ratio of 0.721x over the month ended Nov. 3, 2016, the most recent unaffected trading day. The deal includes debt held by Earthlink. Windstream expects to issue approximately 93 million shares of stock valued at approximately $673 million, based on the company’s closing stock price on Friday (Nov. 4). When the deal closes Windstream shareholders will own a 51% stake in the new company, while EarthLink shareholders will hold the remaining 49%. “The combination with EarthLink further advances Windstream’s strategy by creating a stronger, more competitive business to serve our customersWindstream, EarthLink Announce $1.1 Billion Merger http://ualrpublicradio.org/post/windstream-earthlink-announce-11-billion-merger
68485 as http://ualrpublicradio.orgMon, 07 Nov 2016 13:37:15 +0000Windstream, EarthLink Announce $1.1 Billion Merger Associated PressA labor union that has demonstrated against Wal-Mart Stores Inc. asked the Arkansas Supreme Court Thursday to reverse a judge's decision barring it from entering the retail giant's property for anything other than shopping. Attorneys for the United Food and Commercial Workers International Union and Wal-Mart argued that the National Labor Relations Board, not the Benton County judge, should have jurisdiction over the matter. Wal-Mart had sought the order against the union and the Organization United for Respect at Wal-Mart in response to the group demonstrating and picketing at its stores over its pay and benefits. George Wiszynski, the attorney for the union, said the Bentonville-based company's trespassing complaint was nearly identical to one it had also filed with the national board. "At the end of the day, Wal-Mart relied on the same conduct for its unfair labor practice, its National Labor Relations Board charge as it does for its lawsuit," Wiszynski told justices. Wal-Mart'sUnion Asks Court To Reverse Wal-Mart Trespassing orderhttp://ualrpublicradio.org/post/union-asks-court-reverse-wal-mart-trespassing-order
67560 as http://ualrpublicradio.orgThu, 20 Oct 2016 18:50:15 +0000Union Asks Court To Reverse Wal-Mart Trespassing orderWesley Brown/ Talk Business After seeing thousands of nondurable apparel manufacturing jobs leave eastern Arkansas since the early 1990s, Gov. Asa Hutchinson and his economic development team are bringing 400 of those jobs back to the state. Chinese Garment Company To Bring Textile Plant, 400 Jobs To Little Rock http://ualrpublicradio.org/post/chinese-garment-company-bring-textile-plant-400-jobs-little-rock
67556 as http://ualrpublicradio.orgThu, 20 Oct 2016 17:21:38 +0000Chinese Garment Company To Bring Textile Plant, 400 Jobs To Little Rock Talk Business The second quarter economic story of Arkansas’ four key metro areas was much like the first quarter story: unchanged from the previous quarter, but healthy, with continued job gains and sales tax revenue growth, according to The Compass Report. Compared to the second quarter of 2015, economic conditions were down slightly in Central Arkansas, better in Northwest Arkansas, unchanged in the Fort Smith metro, and up in the Jonesboro metro. The quarterly Compass Report is managed by Talk Business & Politics, and is sponsored by Lowell-based Zero Mountain Logistics, a subsidiary of Fort Smith-based Zero Mountain Inc. The report is the only independent analysis of economic conditions in four Arkansas metro areas – Central Arkansas, Northwest Arkansas, Fort Smith metro, and the Jonesboro metro. To underscore the impact of the four metro areas, for June the unemployment rate for the rest of the state was 4.5%. The statewide unemployment rate with the four largest metros added back in was 4Compass Report: Job Gains, Sales Tax Growth Story Of Second Quarterhttp://ualrpublicradio.org/post/compass-report-job-gains-sales-tax-growth-story-second-quarter
67063 as http://ualrpublicradio.orgMon, 10 Oct 2016 20:54:07 +0000Compass Report: Job Gains, Sales Tax Growth Story Of Second QuarterAssociated PressThe University of Arkansas at Little Rock's law school has received a $1 million grant to create the state's first business innovation clinic. The grant from the Arkansas Attorney General's Office was announced Friday for UALR's William H. Bowen School of Law. The new clinic will focus on providing business law advice and services to small businesses, nonprofit organizations and others. Law students, under the supervision of a business law attorney, will work with entrepreneurs to launch and build their businesses, negotiate contracts and protect ideas and innovations. The clinic will also offer educational programs. UALR's law school also offers a mediation clinic, a clinic focusing on family law matters for clients in the Mississippi Delta region, a low-income taxpayer clinic, a consumer protection clinic and a general litigation clinic. UALR's Law School Gets Grant For Business Innovation clinichttp://ualrpublicradio.org/post/ualrs-law-school-gets-grant-business-innovation-clinic
66933 as http://ualrpublicradio.orgFri, 07 Oct 2016 18:44:46 +0000UALR's Law School Gets Grant For Business Innovation clinicAssociated PressWal-Mart says it plans to slow new store openings as it looks to pour more money into its online efforts, technology and store remodels. Shares of the Bentonville, Arkansas-based chain fell slightly in Thursday premarket trading. Wal-Mart closed on its more than $3 billion buyout of Jet.com last month, showing how heavily it's willing to invest as it tries to boost online sales that totaled $13.7 billion last year - still just a fraction of the company's annual revenue. The world's biggest retailer also said Thursday that it anticipates fiscal 2018 earnings per share being about flat to its fiscal 2017 adjusted earnings per share. Wal-Mart Stores Inc. foresees fiscal 2019 earnings per share growth of about 5 percent. Wal-Mart Plans To Slow New Store Openings, Invest More In Onlinehttp://ualrpublicradio.org/post/wal-mart-plans-slow-new-store-openings-invest-more-online
66863 as http://ualrpublicradio.orgThu, 06 Oct 2016 18:12:27 +0000Wal-Mart Plans To Slow New Store Openings, Invest More In OnlineAssociated PressTyson Foods Inc. has agreed to pay $1.6 million to settle federal allegations of hiring discrimination at six plants in Arkansas, New Mexico and Texas. The U.S. Labor Department announced the settlement Tuesday after previously alleging the Springdale, Arkansas-based company's hiring processes and selection procedures at the six plants discriminated on the basis of sex, race or ethnicity. The company did not admit liability. It agreed to pay back wages, interest and benefits to 5,716 applicants who were turned down for jobs as laborers from 2007-2010 at plants in Rogers and Russellville, Arkansas; Santa Theresa, New Mexico; and Amarillo, Houston and Sherman, Texas. The Labor Department previously said the years were 2006-2012. Tyson will also extend job offers to 474 of the affected workers as positions become available. It also will revise its hiring and training practices. Tyson Foods To Pay $1.6 Million To Settle Hiring Chargeshttp://ualrpublicradio.org/post/tyson-foods-pay-16-million-settle-hiring-charges
66774 as http://ualrpublicradio.orgTue, 04 Oct 2016 21:24:40 +0000Tyson Foods To Pay $1.6 Million To Settle Hiring ChargesTalk Business Hunting and fishing giant Bass Pro Shops is acquiring competitor Cabela’s Inc. for $5.5 billion in an all cash deal that will combine the two iconic American retailers with loyal outdoor-oriented customer bases across the American South, West and Midwest. In an announcement after the opening of the New York Stock Exchange, privately-held Bass Pro and publicly traded Cabela announced they had entered into a definitive agreement under which Bass Pro Shops will acquire Cabela’s for $65.50 per share in cash, a 19.2% premium over Friday’s closing price of $54.93. Bass Pro Shops Founder and CEO Johnny Morris will continue as CEO and majority shareholder of the new entity, which will remain a private company with a continuing long-term view of supporting the outdoor retail industry and conservation. Bass Pro opened a long-awaited 120,000-square foot location in West Little Rock nearly three years ago on One Bass Pro Drive. Cabela opened its 100,000 square foot store in Rogers, which has aboutBass Pro, Cabela To Combine Operations In $5.5 Billion Deal, Includes Two Arkansas Storeshttp://ualrpublicradio.org/post/bass-pro-cabela-combine-operations-55-billion-deal-includes-two-arkansas-stores
66719 as http://ualrpublicradio.orgMon, 03 Oct 2016 22:13:44 +0000Bass Pro, Cabela To Combine Operations In $5.5 Billion Deal, Includes Two Arkansas StoresAssociated PressTwo manufacturers in Little Rock have announced plans for a $6.4 million expansion that will create 43 new jobs. G.C. Evans Sales and Manufacturing and Sleeve Seal announced the expansion Monday. The two companies are now based in a facility on south Woodrow Street but will move all operations to a site in south Little Rock as part of the expansion. G.C. Evans makes packaging and processing equipment for the food, bottling and pharmaceutical industries, while Sleeve Seal supplies high-speed labeling equipment and shrink labels for the packaging industry. The companies say the expansion will allow them to incorporate two new printing lines, which should lead to faster turn-around times for customers. Two Companies In Little Rock Announce $6.4 Million Expansionhttp://ualrpublicradio.org/post/two-companies-little-rock-announce-64-million-expansion
66693 as http://ualrpublicradio.orgMon, 03 Oct 2016 15:38:12 +0000Two Companies In Little Rock Announce $6.4 Million Expansionkim Souza/ Talk Business Candlemaker Burt Hanna, rice and grain operators and even an oil importer in Arkansas are ready to do business with Cuba, held back only by an embargo rendered 56 years ago that has only served to help impoverish a neighboring nation, according to Melvin Torres. Arkansas Businesses Ready To Trade With Cuba As Restrictions Liftedhttp://ualrpublicradio.org/post/arkansas-businesses-ready-trade-cuba-restrictions-lifted
66171 as http://ualrpublicradio.orgThu, 22 Sep 2016 15:25:12 +0000Arkansas Businesses Ready To Trade With Cuba As Restrictions LiftedAssociated PressCosmetics maker L'Oreal USA is building thousands of solar panels at manufacturing facilities in Kentucky and Arkansas, a move the company says will help cut carbon emissions and create two of the biggest solar-powered projects in each state. The subsidiary of the L'Oreal Group said Tuesday it plans to install 5,000 solar panels at its Florence, Kentucky, plant and another 4,000 at its North Little Rock, Arkansas, plant, with both projects expected to be operational by the middle of next year. The company said the Kentucky project will be the largest commercial solar array in that state and the North Little Rock project will be Arkansas' third largest commercial array. The projects are being developed by Little Rock-based Scenic Hill Solar. Third-Largest Solar Array In Arkansas To Help Power L'Oreal Planthttp://ualrpublicradio.org/post/third-largest-solar-array-arkansas-help-power-loreal-plant
66078 as http://ualrpublicradio.orgTue, 20 Sep 2016 22:15:19 +0000Third-Largest Solar Array In Arkansas To Help Power L'Oreal PlantAssociated PressA subsidiary of American Airlines has announced plans to establish a new aircraft maintenance facility at Little Rock's airport, a move that is expected to create 60 new jobs over five years. Envoy Air Inc. announced plans Tuesday for the new facility at the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport in Little Rock. The new facility will provide scheduled overnight maintenance for Envoy's 76-seat Embraer 175 aircraft as well as line maintenance for the 15 daily American Eagle flights at the Little Rock airport. The Arkansas Economic Development Commission says the state is providing $500,000 in incentives to help pay for modifications to an existing 37,000-square-foot hangar. Envoy already operates a maintenance base at the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport in Highfill. Envoy Air Announces Plans For Little Rock Maintenance Basehttp://ualrpublicradio.org/post/envoy-air-announces-plans-little-rock-maintenance-base
65652 as http://ualrpublicradio.orgTue, 13 Sep 2016 16:17:54 +0000Envoy Air Announces Plans For Little Rock Maintenance BaseDavid Monteith Low-wage workers and local leaders are continuing to push for an increase to the minimum wage in Arkansas. Local protests for a $15 an hour minimum wage were first seen in late 2014 outside fast food restaurants in central Arkansas. Those efforts were part of a nationwide movement known as Fight for 15. In this election year organizers took their protest to the steps of the state Capitol. Jay Harris, a member of Fight for 15, said there are many reasons for supporting an increased minimum wage. “$8.50 an hour is not enough money to retire on,” he told the crowd. “$8.50 an hour produces mass incarceration. Know why? Because the average woman that’s making $8.50 an hour, she’s a single mother that would make up the community of low wages and that’s where you (see) people come from mass incarceration from.” The local protestors are supported by the national movement that began in 2012 and has attracted well-known organizations, like Black Lives Matter, to its cause. It’s expanded itsFight For 15 Still Pushing For Increased Minimum Wage in Arkansashttp://ualrpublicradio.org/post/fight-15-still-pushing-increased-minimum-wage-arkansas
65623 as http://ualrpublicradio.orgMon, 12 Sep 2016 23:03:35 +0000Fight For 15 Still Pushing For Increased Minimum Wage in ArkansasSarah Whites-Koditschek New employees of the City of Little Rock may receive a financial incentive to reside within the municipality. The city’s Board of Directors is considering a $5,000 dollar gift for employees who buy homes in town, or $2,500 to employees who rent in Little Rock. The board discussed possible residency incentive for city employees at its meeting Tuesday. City spokesperson Jennifer Godwin says the proposal was inspired by a recent failed initiative to require police officers to live within city limits. “This is a big positive overall. We’ve already encouraged our employees to eat and shop in the city. This is them choosing to make Little Rock their home,” she said. “It’s a way to stay connected to the city, to actually live in it.” Godwin says the funds would be more than returned to the city through property taxes, and the goal would be to encourage employees to feel more connected to Little Rock. “It’s tough to require an employee to live in a place. That’s not our intent here. We don’tCity Board To Consider Paying Bonus To Employees Who Live In Townhttp://ualrpublicradio.org/post/city-board-consider-paying-bonus-employees-who-live-town
65001 as http://ualrpublicradio.orgWed, 31 Aug 2016 17:39:07 +0000City Board To Consider Paying Bonus To Employees Who Live In Town